Native American Ravioli
3 cups sifted all-purpose flour
4 eggs
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
Pour the flour into a mound on a flat working surface. Make a depression in the center with your hand that almost reaches through to the board. Crack the eggs directly into the well and, with a fork, whip in the salt and oil, mixing the flour in from around the edges. Mix and knead the dough with your hands for 8 to 10 minutes, until the dough has a smooth and elastic consistency. If the dough seems a bit dry, add a little water; add a little more flour if it seems too moist.
Once you have obtained the desired consistency, cover the dough with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator for 15 minutes. Divide the dough into handsful and roll out each section to a very thin, even, almost translucent thickness. Use your imagination to cut the dough into any size or shape. Any filling can be used to make the ravioli.
Variation
To make blue cornmeal ravioli, substitute a combination of 1 cup finely ground blue cornmeal and 1 1/2 cups flour for the flour in this recipe. Increase the number of eggs to 5.
Lasagna Ole
29 ounces salsa, heated
2 cups chicken, cooked and chopped
1/3 cup chopped cilantro
4 large corn tortillas
8 ounces cottage cheese
1 egg, beaten
4 ounces diced green chiles, drained
1 can sliced olives, drained well
3/4 cup Monterey jack cheese, shredded
3/4 cup Cheddar cheese, shredded
Mix first three ingredients and spread 1/3 of mixture in the bottom of an 11 x 7-inch microwave baking dish. Layer 2 corn tortillas on top. Combine next four ingredients with 1/4 cup of each shredded cheese and spoon 1/2 of mixture over tortillas. Repeat layers, ending with salsa mixture. Cover with plastic wrap and microwave on HIGH for 10 to 12 minutes, rotating the dish during cooking. Remove wrap; sprinkle with remaining cheese. Let stand until cheese melts. Cut into squares.
Serves 6.
Fideo
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
4 coils fideo
2 tablespoons minced onion
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 cup canned tomato sauce
3 cups water
Salt
Pepper
Heat oil. Add fideo and cook until lightly browned. Add onion and cook until tender. Add garlic, tomato sauce and water and season to taste with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil. Lower heat, cover and simmer for 10 minutes.
Makes 6 servings.
Chili Twist
2 cups egg noodles
3 quarts boiling water
1 tablespoon salt
2 (15 1/2 ounce) cans chili con carne
1 tablespoon parsley
1/2 teaspoon sweet basil leaves, crushed
1/4 teaspoon Mexican oregano
1 (18 ounce can) tomato sauce
Cook noodles in boiling water with salt, uncovered, until tender; drain. Combine with remaining ingredients. Heat thoroughly.
Serves 4 to 6.
Mexican Manicotti
8 manicotti shells
1 1/2 cups low-fat cottage cheese
1 cup cooked chicken
1/4 cup sliced green onions
1/4 cup sliced or chopped ripe olives
1/4 cup chopped red bell pepper
1/4 cup cilantro
1 clove garlic, minced
1 1/2 cups salsa
1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 cup shredded Monterey jack cheese
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
Cook and drain manicotti according to package directions.
In a large bowl, combine cottage cheese, chicken, onions, olives, red pepper, cilantro and garlic. Mix well. Fill manicotti with mixture and place in a lightly greased 13 x 9-inch baking dish.
Combine salsa with tomato sauce, mixing well. Spoon over manicotti. Cover tightly and bake for 10 minutes.
Remove cover and continue baking for 10 minutes.
Sprinkle with cheese, if desired and bake 3 minutes longer until cheese melts. Serve immediately.
Yield: 4 servings